Intravenous line organizing system

ABSTRACT

An intravenous line organizing system to be attached to patients to organize one or several IV lines, preventing entanglement and contamination by dragging on the floor, while allowing patient mobility. The hypoallergenic device can be strapped with a band around a patient&#39;s limb or torso, or adhered to the skin anywhere on the body. Each clip element allows one IV line to float freely through it. Each clip element rotates 360° and can move horizontally within a channel in the system, or it can be pushed into a locked position, preventing rotation and horizontal movement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to intravenous line separator systems. More particularly, this invention relates to a plastic channel device which retains single or multiple rotating clip holders for intravenous or catheter tubes and is attached to a cuff for securement on a human limb.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hospital patients are often encumbered with individual intravenous or catheter tubes which become entangled with the patients' clothing, bedding, and/or each other, restricting the patients' movement.

In observation, post-op patients and patients receiving oncology treatments, there are multiple IV lines going into the patients. Lines often get tangled in each other. When receiving chemotherapy, the lines are taped onto the patients' skin to keep the IV lines stable. When patients are post-op and lying in bed, if the patient is not still and sedentary, lines are often on the right and left hand side of the patient. They get tangled together. When the patient moves from the right to the left, these lines can often get pulled out.

During post op procedures, doctors ask their patients to walk in the hospital hallways for exercise. Patients are still on IVs for their medications and hydration. To enable the patient to exercise, the IVs are on a rolling stand and the lines may drag on the floor and can become contaminated or caught up in the wheels of the rolling stand. When patients using walkers have IV lines, the lines are often left dangling and dragging on the floor, or they can get caught up in the front wheels of the walker.

Typically, very often there is only surgical tape to hold the IV lies in place and when the IV lines are removed with the tape, the tape catches the hair of the patients' body. In other cases, the tape may not always hold. The problem with these approaches is that prior art systems do not adequately address the problem of disorganization, tangling/dragging of IV lines.

Prior art documents known to the Applicant include:

U.S. Pat. Publication No. Title Date 5,690,617 Adjusting catheter holding device 1997 6,458,104 IV administration lines fastening and 2002 identification device 3,696,920 Device for organizing objects 1972 3,782,388 Medical tube holder 1974 5,944,696 Swivel clip medical tube holder 1999 6,228,064 Intravenous anchor system 2001 2001/0049504 IV administration lines fastening and 2001 identification device 2005/0234405 Site securement device for securing 2005 intravascular tubing 3,747,166 Hose holder 1973 4,707,906 Method of attaching tube to a tube 1987 holder 5,507,460 Tubing holder especially for patient 1996 applications 5,336,179 Line organizer 1994

However, there is still a need for an intravenous line organizing system that addresses at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to propose a system that satisfies at least one of the above-mentioned needs.

According to the present invention, that object is accomplished with a system attachable to the bodies of medical patients for purposes of organizing single or multiple IV lines to prevent disorganization, tangling, and dragging.

A non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two embodiments of the present invention in an assembled state, attached to a patient's arm: a first system organizing multiple IV lines, and a second system holding one single IV line, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first system shown in FIG. 1 showing the locking mechanisms and five rotating IV line holders.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the system shown in FIG. 2, with the closing mechanisms in a closed position.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views showing an intravenous line before and after insertion into a clip element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of an IV clip element that opens and closes, showing an IV line before and after insertion, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views showing an IV in a clip element of FIG. 4 in a floating configuration (FIG. 8) and pushed down into a fixed position configuration (FIG. 9), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one clip element in a fixed position configuration, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of two clip elements, one floating in the channel, and one fixed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective cross-sectional view of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of two clip elements, one floating in the channel, and one fixed, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a singular clip element in a fixed position, showing its 360° rotation capability, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing two clip elements in floating position, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a singular clip element with an adhesive bottom, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an intravenous line organizing system.

As better shown in FIG. 2, there is provided an intravenous line organizing system comprising patient attachment means 9 for attaching the system to a patient. The system also includes a base channel 3 element attached to the patient attachment means 9. At least one clip element 1 can be secured to the base channel element 3, each clip element 1 being shaped to receive a medical tube. As better shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 9, each clip element 11 is removably securable to the base channel element 13 between a floating configuration (shown in FIG. 4 or 8) wherein the clip element 11 is rotatable with respect to the channel element 13 and displaceable along a direction of the channel element, and a locked configuration (shown in FIG. 9) wherein the clip element 11 is fixed with respect to the channel element 13.

In one scenario, the patient attachment means 9 is an adjustable band, as shown in FIG. 2.

In another scenario, the patient attachment means is an adhesive pad, as shown in FIG. 16.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the system can be provided as a kit including a plurality of clip elements adjustable to different medical tube diameters.

FIG. 1 shows two versions of the present invention in an assembled state, attached to a patient's arm. The band on the upper arm is holding multiple IV lines. A singular clip element with an adhesive backing is attached to the forearm.

FIG. 2 shows an organizing system in assembled state, before being closed around a patient's limb or torso. Clip elements are inserted into the band through a channel opening and can float freely within the channel, or be pushed down into a fixed position. A closing mechanism 4 prevents floating clip elements 1 from exiting the channel 3. The lid of the closing mechanisms flips open and closes securely by means of two snaps. The band may be wrapped around a patient's limb or torso and secured by placing the protruding nipple through one of the holes in the band, accommodating various sizes.

Preferably, all parts of the system are made from a variety of rigid and pliable polymer plastics, and designed to be comfortable for the patient.

Preferably, a clip element can be set to a particular degree of rotation, depending on angle of the intravenous line, and locked in a fixed position, or it can be allowed to rotate horizontally 360°, to accommodate a patient's movements.

Preferably, whether the clip elements are locked or rotating, intravenous lines can float freely through them.

Preferably, the patent attachment means or band is made in a range of sizes so that it can be wrapped around the torsos and limbs of patients of all sizes.

Preferably, a system can hold one or several clip elements, and individual clips can be removed or added easily.

Preferably, the risk of contamination to IV lines is reduced by preventing the lines from coming into contact with floors.

Preferably, the adhesive backing of the singular clip element is hypoallergenic.

Preferably, in certain scenarios, one or several singular clip elements can be adhered to a patient.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. An intravenous line organizing system comprising: patient attachment means for attaching the system to a patient; a base channel element attached to the patient attachment means; and at least one clip element securable to the base channel element, each clip element being shaped to receive a medical tube, each clip element being removably securable to the base channel element between a floating configuration, wherein the clip element is rotatable with respect to the channel element and displaceable along a direction of the channel element and a locked configuration wherein the clip element is fixed with respect to the channel element.
 2. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 1, wherein the patient attachment means is an adjustable band.
 3. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 1, wherein the patient attachment means is an adhesive pad.
 4. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of clip elements adjustable to different medical tube diameters.
 5. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 1, wherein the channel element comprises an open end shaped to allow passage of the at least one clip element to enter or exit the channel element and a closing mechanism for removably closing the open end.
 6. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of clip elements adjustable to different medical tube diameters.
 7. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of clip elements adjustable to different medical tube diameters.
 8. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 2, wherein the channel element comprises an open end shaped to allow passage of the at least one clip element to enter or exit the channel element and a closing mechanism for removably closing the open end.
 9. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 3, wherein the channel element comprises an open end shaped to allow passage of the at least one clip element to enter or exit the channel element and a closing mechanism for removably closing the open end.
 10. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 4, wherein the channel element comprises an open end shaped to allow passage of the at least one clip element to enter or exit the channel element and a closing mechanism for removably closing the open end.
 11. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 5, wherein the channel element comprises an open end shaped to allow passage of the at least one clip element to enter or exit the channel element and a closing mechanism for removably closing the open end.
 12. The intravenous line organizing system according to claim 6, wherein the channel element comprises an open end shaped to allow passage of the at least one clip element to enter or exit the channel element and a closing mechanism for removably closing the open end. 